Since we parted, I recalled our meetings; so often, my soul joined you in dreams.
Tonight, I held the silver lamp to light your face, still fearing our reunion was a dream.
The next day arrived in the blink of an eye. Early that morning, while Jiang Tian was still half asleep, he heard his sister tiptoeing to the door and opening it.
The sound was faint, but Jiang Tian still caught it clearly.
Jiang Tian opened his bleary eyes and looked at his sister, who was about to leave with her little schoolbag on her back. "Where are you going, sis?"
"Oh? Did I wake you up after all, big brother? I thought I was being quiet enough."
Jiang Wan'er looked at her brother, who had suddenly woken up, with a slightly embarrassed expression.
Jiang Tian smiled and rolled out of bed. "Actually, I was already awake. It wasn't you. Why are you leaving so early? It's only six thirty!"
Jiang Wan'er explained, "The bus into the city only comes once every half hour. We're worried we won't get a seat if we're late, so we're getting up early to catch it."
"You don't need to leave this early, though."
Jiang Tian pursed his lips.
Jiang Wan'er shrugged. "We don't have a choice. We're so far from the city, and lots of people go there every day. If we don't leave early, we won't get on."
"All right."
Jiang Tian nodded, then said as he got dressed, "Wait a bit. I'll go with you."
"Huh? You're coming too?"
Jiang Wan'er looked a little surprised. Then she gave him a sly smile. "Are you worried I'm going on a date with a boy?"
Jiang Tian was speechless.
He had to admit that his sister was sharp. He really was worried that she might start dating too young.
After all, his sister was still young, and she was both pretty and innocent. If someone with bad intentions fooled her, the consequences would be unthinkable!
"What are you talking about? I... I've got things to do in the city too, okay? My ID expired, remember? I'm going to get it renewed."
Although she had seen through him, Jiang Tian spoke without blushing or so much as a flutter of his heart.
After all, with his composure, telling a lie was easier than drinking water.
Seeing that her brother still refused to admit it, Jiang Wan'er couldn't help giggling. She didn't bother exposing him, though, and chatted with him while she waited for him to get ready.
A few minutes later, Jiang Tian was washed and neatly dressed.
"Let's go!"
Jiang Tian wiped the water from his face as he spoke.
Jiang Wan'er nodded, then took her brother's hand and skipped toward the bus stop.
When they passed a breakfast stall, Jiang Tian thoughtfully bought breakfast for both her and himself.
The bus stop was fairly far away, about a kilometer, but the siblings ate as they walked and soon arrived.
Another girl was already standing at the bus stop.
She looked fresh-faced and pretty too. Though she wasn't as tall or fair as Jiang Wan'er, she was still quite a little beauty. With a slightly baby-fat face, big eyes, and a petite figure, she was the classic cute little southern girl-the kind most boys liked!
"Ying!"
Still several meters away, Jiang Wan'er was already waving and calling out to the girl.
When the girl at the stop saw them, she ran over with little bouncing steps, her hands tucked away and her face bright red. "Wan'er!"
Jiang Wan'er caught Han Ying's hand and smiled. "Have you been waiting long?"
Whether it was from the cold or something else, Han Ying's little face was red all over, like a ripe apple. Her rosy cheeks almost made people want to take a bite.
"No, I just got here too."
Han Ying shook her head, but as she spoke, her eyes kept drifting toward Jiang Tian behind Jiang Wan'er.
Who's this handsome guy? she wondered.
She had just seen Wan'er walking over hand in hand with him.
Has Wan'er started dating?
The more Han Ying thought about it, the more likely it seemed. After all, Jiang Wan'er was so pretty that boys who liked her were a dime a dozen at school.
"Wan'er, who's this?"
Although she already had a guess, Han Ying still looked cautiously at Jiang Tian and asked.
By now, she had braced herself for a shock.
After all, Jiang Wan'er was universally regarded as a goddess at school. If people found out she was dating someone, it would be explosive news.
Only then did Jiang Wan'er remember her brother was there too. But when she saw Han Ying's curious gaze, she couldn't resist having a little fun.
Her eyes shifted, and she hooked her arm through Jiang Tian's, then said playfully to Han Ying, "Guess who he is!"
Jiang Tian was briefly taken aback by Jiang Wan'er's sudden mischievous expression, but he soon caught on to his sister's little trick and smiled helplessly.
His sister was still just as mischievous as she had been as a child.
Seeing Jiang Wan'er link arms with Jiang Tian so openly, Han Ying's eyes widened slightly, and her little mouth fell open.
Although she had already guessed that Jiang Tian might be her boyfriend, wasn't this a little too bold?
They're already holding hands and linking arms. Won't they be kissing once they're married?
Han Ying's face flushed as she looked at Jiang Tian. "Um, hello. You're a student too?"
A student?
Jiang Tian paused, then smiled and nodded. "Hello."
"How long have you and Wan'er been together? How come I've never heard anything about it?"
Han Ying looked curiously at the handsome man before her, feeling a little shy.
He's so handsome! Although he looked a little older, his chiseled face, straight nose, and skin that was fairer and smoother than a woman's made him stunning from every angle!
More importantly, there was something special about his bearing, something almost otherworldly, like a noble young gentleman from ancient times!
A man as fair as jade, a gentleman without equal.
That must describe a man like him, right?
"Huh? Me?"
Jiang Tian paused, then pretended to think it over. "I've known Wan'er for over ten years, I guess. We've been together since we were little."
"Oh? Then you... you're childhood sweethearts?"
Han Ying's little mouth hung open, making her look adorably dazed.
"Uh, more or less."
Jiang Tian nodded.
Beside him, Jiang Wan'er pressed her lips together and nearly burst out laughing.
Han Ying was momentarily dazed, inwardly wailing, Why? Why don't I have such a handsome childhood sweetheart?
"Then, how far have you and Wan'er gone? I saw you coming out together. Are you living together?"
Though heartbroken, Han Ying still couldn't resist asking for more gossip.
After all, she knew Jiang Wan'er's parents had left to work elsewhere, leaving her home alone.
"Living together? Yes, we do live together."
Jiang Tian nodded.
"What? You're already living together?"
"Yep, we've been living together for ages. We've even slept together!"
Jiang Wan'er sounded a little proud.
"You've... you've... slept together?"
Han Ying had already been shocked, but those words nearly made her vision go black as she fainted.
They've even slept together.
Then doesn't that mean...
Han Ying didn't dare dwell on those embarrassing scenes. She shook her head frantically, telling herself to stop imagining things like that.
How could Wan'er be so casual about it? She's not that kind of person!
Seeing Han Ying's utterly incredulous expression, Jiang Wan'er finally couldn't hold back anymore and burst out laughing. "Ying, what are you thinking? Isn't it perfectly normal that I slept beside my brother when I was little?"
"Hold on a second! What did you say? He's your... brother?"
Han Ying, whose head had still been spinning, froze at those words.
"That's right. This is my brother, Jiang Tian! My biological brother!"
Jiang Wan'er lifted her chin as though showing him off.
"Your biological brother? Didn't you just say you were..."
Han Ying was bewildered.
"Were what? I never said what he was to me. You were the one letting your imagination run wild."
Jiang Wan'er giggled, then gave her another sly look. "So, Ying, what exactly were you thinking just now?"
Han Ying's already rosy face turned several shades redder, and she spoke in a rush. "I wasn't! I wasn't thinking anything! Oh, Wan'er, you're awful! You were making fun of me! I'm not talking to you anymore!"
Before you continue